Lincolnshire businesses raise money and gifts for charity this Christmas

The Christmas season is a time for giving, and businesses across the county have been hard at work to help raise funds for inspirational people and projects.

Here’s what they have been up to:

Much needed luxuries

Staff at Ringrose Law have distributed over 100 shoe boxes this Christmas

Lincoln-based Ringrose Law distributed over 100 shoe boxes to the local Women’s Aid and other domestic abuse organisations.

All the items for the shoe boxes were donated by members of the public, local businesses, friends and family, filled with toiletries, chocolates and treats for women and gifts, toys, chocolates and sweets for children.

Head of the Domestic Abuse Team at Ringrose Law, Nichola Skayman said: “I work with victims of domestic abuse every day and understand the daily struggles they go through when trying to get their lives and their children’s lives back together.

“Many items in the shoe boxes can be so basic from toothpaste to deodorant, but when they leave home they often walk away with nothing, so they are grateful for any small luxuries.”

“The day that taste forgot”

Staff from The Feathers Hotel, Eatery and Coffeehouse in Helmsley and The Old Bridge Hotel in Holmfirth

Coaching Inn Group in Boston have raised £2,212 to celebrate Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day and spread Christmas spirit.

The Coaching Inn Group CEO, Kevin Charity, said: “We’re incredibly proud of the team spirit and competitive fun that exists between our 13 sites, which we’ve seen in the way our teams have embraced Christmas Jumper Day.

“Not only was it the day that taste forgot, it also saw some of our team members show their true creative side, accessorising their Christmas jumpers with a whole host of decorations.

“More importantly, together we’ve raised funds that will make a real difference to children’s lives.”

Chartered surveyors Banks Long & Co will be hosting a charity Monopoly battle on December 29 at the The White Hart Hotel in the Bailgate, Lincoln to raise money for the International Bomber Command Centre on Canwick Hill.

Some 25 players including bankers, accountants, lawyers and other business associates will take on the firm and all entry fees will be given to the war memorial with the winner gaining a silver trophy, which they keep for a year.

To date, the IBCC has raised £8 million towards its £10 million target. Funds include a Heritage Lottery Fund grant of £3.1 million, to be drawn down over five years, supporting the education, outreach and archive programmes, which leaves a shortfall of £2 million.

Banks Long & Co Director James Butcher said: “We traditionally donate our entry fees to a good cause. This year we are proud to announce that the money will be going to the International Bomber Command Centre (IBCC).

“This memorial is going to be very important to Lincolnshire on so many fronts – as a place of remembrance, reconciliation and education.”

A box of goodies

Zoe Palfreyman, Zoe Butler and Carol Harman at Serco’s Lincoln HQ

Serco staff, who deliver back office services for Lincolnshire County Council, also jumped on the Christmas charity bandwagon, raising nearly £2,000 for local and national charities over the past year and are donating and wrapping gifts for a Lincoln women’s refuge so children have presents on Christmas Day.

Charities over the year have included Macmillan Nurses, British Heart Foundation, Breast Cancer Research and Alzheimer’s Society.

One of the organisers Zoe Butler said: “Our latest drive is to organise boxes and bags full of toys for a women’s refuge. Sometimes families will have to leave gifts behind, they are unable to tell anyone their location so they may not receive much from other family members.

“We all live and work in the area so we think it is important part of our working life to contribute to local and national charities to help those who most need support.”

A vintage affair

Local singer Heather Marie performed 1940s-style Christmas classics as well as her war-time hits at the Elite Fish & Chips Company’s ‘Very Vintage Christmas’ event.

Lincolnshire’s Elite Fish & Chips Company hosted a ‘Very Vintage Christmas’ event at the chain’s Sleaford restaurant to raise money for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.

The event, which saw local singer Heather Marie performed 1940s-style Christmas classics as well as her war-time hits, raised more than £1,000, with an anonymous donor also giving £1,000 to help Elite reach the total.

This helped the company reach its target of over £10,000 in donations in just ten months.

Brian Harvey, Poppy Appeal organiser for Sleaford, said: “We want to thank The Elite Fish & Chip Company for their help in raising so much. Their funding will go directly to local projects we are involved with and will benefit those who have given so much for our country.”